The United States and Japan will step up their defence cooperation to deal with the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea as tensions in East Asia remain high, officials from the two allies said on Thursday.

Vic coalition pledges studios for homeless

Young Victorians at risk of homelessness will move into relocatable studio apartments under a re-elected coalition government.

The state government has pledged $6 million for Kids Under Cover if they win the November 29 election.

Housing Minister Wendy Lovell said up to 200 young people would be allowed access to one of the single or double studios.

"Kids Under Cover have a unique model of accommodation that provides vulnerable young people with a single or double bed studio on the grounds of their family or their carer's home," she said.

"These studios will give young people who can no longer live in their family home, the extra space they need to live in their community, maintain or resume education, allowing families to stay together."